Forged Destiny [Book 5: Ch. 5]

The Nucklelavee's back twitched. Its legs moved away from Yang, toward me. "Look out!" Pyrrha yelled.

The kick came faster than anything I'd dealt with before. I managed to get Crocea Mors in its path, but only because I was ready for it. I couldn't parry it, nor hope to, but I was able to divert its path a scant few inches, and to turn my body. The hoof crashed into my breastplate at an angle. It would have been enough to puncture through and gore me, but the armour glowed blue and held.

What was more, a little bit of ice spread out over the Nucklelavee's leg, a consequence of hitting the now magical armour. I'd tested the runes. I knew what they did, and I'd chosen this one specifically. With the leg outstretched and me already off balance there wasn't time for finesse. I caught my sword by the blade, holding it more like a stave, and slashed it down onto the frozen skin and muscle.

I didn't sever it. Not quite. But the hoof hung from a loose amount of skin, now three-quarters cut through. The Nucklelavee sagged and stumbled backward, falling onto its rear.

—Forged Destiny [Book 5: Ch. 5]